Events and Statistics

Armistice Terms Granted to Central Powers

Excerpted from The War of the Nations: Portfolio of Rotogravure Etchings, 528.

Bulgarian Armistice, Sept. 29, 1918

The terms involved nothing less than unconditional surrender. They were purely military in character. Consideration of political and territorial matters was postponed until the signing of a final treaty of peace. Bulgaria agreed to evacuate all occupied territory in Greece and Serbia; to demobilize her army at once; to surrender all means of transport on land and on the Danube to the Allies; to permit their unhindered passage through Bulgaria for the development of military operations; to surrender all arms and ammunition; to permit the occupation by the Allies of all strategic points, and to withdraw as a belligerent from the war. No stipulations were made regarding King Ferdinand, as this was regarded as a purely internal matter, to be disposed of as the Bulgarian people might choose. The King settled the matter by abdicating on Oct. 4.

Turkish Armistice, Oct. 30, 1918

The Dardanelles and Bosporus were to be opened and access to the Black Sea accorded to the Allies, who were also to occupy the forts of the strait. Allied prisoners of war were to be repatriated immediately. Demobilization of the Turkish Army was provided for, except such troops as the Allies might choose to retain under arms as a police force. All ships were to be surrendered, and all occupied territory to be evacuated. Turkish troops in garrisons were to surrender to the nearest allied commander. Any strategic points in Turkish territory were to be occupied by the Allies at will. Germans residing in Turkey were to be sent home, and Turkey was required to end all relations with the Central Powers.

Austrian Armistice, Nov. 3, 1918

The terms of the armistice stripped Austria of all power to renew the war should she be so inclined. The army was to be wholly and promptly demobilized. Austrian brigades fighting with the Germans were to be withdrawn. All territories occupied by Austria since the beginning of the war were to be evacuated. Military and railway equipment in the evacuated territory was to be left intact. German troops in the Austrian Army were to be expelled. Half of the army material, artillery, and ammunition was to be surrendered to the Allies. Prisoners of war in Austrian hands were to be repatriated at once without reciprocity. A large and specified number of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and submarines was to be surrendered, and the remaining naval vessels were to be concentrated, disarmed, and placed under allied supervision. Free movement over all parts of Austrian territory and the occupation of strategic points were to be granted to the forces of the Entente. Freedom of navigation in the Adriatic, the Danube, and all territorial waters, together with the right to dismantle the fortifications of waterways, was also to be yielded. Stringent conditions were inserted against sabotage, concealment, or evasion.

German Armistice, Nov. 11, 1918

Germany was required to evacuate all occupied territories everywhere. The iniquitous treaties of Brest-Litovsk and Bucharest were annulled. Germany was to surrender 5,000 pieces of light and heavy artillery, 25,000 machine guns, 3,000 minenwerfers, 1,700 airplanes, 5,000 locomotives, 150,000 railroad cars, and 5,000 motor lorries. All these were to be in perfect condition. All submarines were to be surrendered, together with 10 battleships, 6 battle cruisers, 8 light cruisers, and 50 destroyers. The remaining naval vessels were to be disarmed and placed under allied supervision. Prisoners of war in German hands were to be yielded up without reciprocity. All territory on the left bank of the Rhine was to be occupied by the allied armies, and three bridgeheads were to be established at Mayence, Coblenz, and Cologne, each with a radius of eighteen miles. A trip of territory six miles wide on the right bank of the Rhine was to constitute a neutral zone. The period of armistice was one month, with provision for renewal if necessary.